Means for closing fragile stuffed casings



March 27, J PANFlL] MEANS FOR CLOSING FRAGILE STUFFED CASING-S Filed May 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zliyv/ Egg J. PANFlLl March 27, 1962 MEANS FOR CLOSING FRAGILE STUFFED CASINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1960 m A M United States Patent C) 3,026,521 MEANS FOR CLOSING FRAGILE STUFFED CASINGS Jack Panlili, 1576 61st St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed May 9, 1960, Ser. No. 27,650 1 Claim. (Cl. 1-329) This invention relates generally to the field of mechanical closing or sealing devices, and more particularly to an improved form of device particularly adapted for closing the open ends of sausage casings, paper bags, and other casings wherein the body of the casing is stuffed under high pressure prior to sealing. The application has particular adaptation for use with casings which are relatively easily damaged during the sealing operation, and

contemplate means to prevent the closure device from piercing the casing.

It is known in the prior art to close casings of this type either by hand tying, leaving a strong cord, wire or the like, and to use devices resembling a stapling machine which crimp or close a wire-like fastener around the open end of the casing. Owing to the presence of sharpened edges of the closure, a relatively high degree of rupture of the casings has occurred, permitting the contents of the stuffed casing to leak out, and generally providing a manufactured article of unacceptable appearance.

It is, therefore, among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved closing device which will securely seal the end of a tubular casing in a single motion, and which will nevertheless provide a closure of mechanical strength comparable or superior to hand tying.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a device of the class described which will employ a wire fastener of unusual shape or configuration, which is adapted to close a casing in such manner that sharpened ends of the closure device are protected from contact with the rupturable sides of the casing.

Yet another object of the invention herein lies in the provision of an improved and unique clamping device having overlapping convolutions and a pair of generally elongated end portions which extend outwardly of the tied casing when in closed condition.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of a fastener closing means which comprises relatively few moving parts, and which may readily be disassembled for servicing or placing the same in a sanitary condition, and which may, if desired, be formed of stainless metallic materials to permit the device to be used in the presence of high-moisture content atmospheres.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of means for feeding the above mentioned clamps to discharge position, thereby permitting the device to operate at a relatively high output rate.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that the clamps provide a wrap-around action upon the closed end of a casing, simulating to a large degree the hand-tied operation.

These objects and features, as well as other and incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the body of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof.

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FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in elevation, corresponding to the lower lefthand portion of FIGURE 2, but showing certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view as seen from a plane 55 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view in elevation as seen from the lefthand portion of FIGURE 5, with one of the parts removed for purposes of clarity.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view as seen from the upper portion of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of one of the component parts comprising the structure seen in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the lower portion of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of another of the component parts comprising the structure seen in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view as seen from the lower portion of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of still another of the component parts comprising the structure seen in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view thereof as seen from the lower portion of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary view corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 6, and showing a first stage of deformation of a deformable closure positioning operation.

FIGURE 15 is a similar fragmentary view in elevation showing a second deformation.

FIGURE 16 is a similar fragmentary elevational view showing a third stage of deformation.

FIGURE 17 is a similar fragmentary view in elevation showing a fourth and final stage of deformation of the closure.

FIGURE 18 is a horizontal sectional view as seen from a plane 18-18 in FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 12 is a horizontal sectional view as sen from a plane I919 in FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a deformed closure in position upon a stuffed casing.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises: a base element 11, a clamp supply element 12, a clamp driving element 13 and a clamp closing element 14, the device being adapted to employ in operation a series of clamps, gen erally indicated by reference character 15.

The base element 11 is preferably of welded steel construction, including a generally angularly configured support member 16 having a lower surface 17 adapted to contact a table surface (not shown) or other horizontal supporting surface. The upper surface 15 supports a vertical column 19, the column 19 in turn supporting a horizontal platform 20.

The clamp supply element 12 is secured to one edge 21 of the platform 20 and includes a guiding track 22 as well as a follower member 23 which moves leftwardly as seen in FIGURE 3 under the action of a coilable or negator spring 24. The outer end 25 is selectively openable to permit the insertion of a plurality of clamps 15, which are advanced singly in. stack form to the inner or discharge end 26. The clamp supply element 12 resembles to a large degree the feeding means of a conventional stapling device, and may be modified, if desired, to include any of the structure employed in such devices.

The clamp driving element 15 includes a relatively flat blade member 28 operated by a pneumatic cylinder 29. A moveable track member 32 is arranged for vertical reciprocation, as will more fully appear in the progress of the disclosure the track member 32 having a clamp engaging notch 33 leading to a pair of tracks 34 and 34 in which the individual clamps are initially disposed.

The closing element 14 is most conveniently manufactured to include three planar members 35, 36 and 37. As best seen in the FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawings, the: member 35 constitutes a frame having a first recess 38 in which the member 36 is disposed and a second recess 39 in. which the member 37 is disposed. Elongated channels 40* and 40' provide additional space for the deformation of the clamps 15 as will more fully appear. Cover members 60 and 61 (see FIGURES l8 and 19) enclose the members 36 and 37, being fitted into recesses 62 and 63 in member 35.

The member 36 includes a guiding surface 41 having a first vertical portion 42, a first camming portion 43 and a. second camming portion 44. The member 37 includes a guide surface 46 symmetrical with surface 41 including a third camming portion 48, and a fourth camming portion 49.

Referring to FIGURES 14 to 19, inclusive, there is shown the progressive deformation of individual clamps 15. The clamps are preferably formed from aluminum wire, or other similar deformable non-corrosive metallic material. The rounded wire body 46 of each of the clamps includes a generally rectilinear central portion 47, bend portions 48 and 49, angularly disposed shank portions 50 and 51 and outer elongated shank portions 52- and 53, the axes of Which are generally perpendicular to the central portion 47, and the free terminals of which are smoothly rounded.

Operation of the device is commenced by the raising of the clamp driving element 13, which causes a pin 56 on the surface of the blade member 28 to ride within a groove 57 in the moveable track member 32. When the pin 56 reaches the uppermost end 58 of the groove 57, the moveable track member 32 will also be elevated to a point where the pin 56 strikes the lower surface 69 of a fixed support member 27. In this position, the forwardmost clamp 15 is advanced into engagement at the upper ends of the tracks 34 and 34, so as to lie within the path of the blade member 28. The end of the casing 61 may then be positioned within the slot 39, and the blade member 28 lowered to bring the same into contact with the central portion of the clamp 15. Owing to the normal friction existing between the clamp 15 and the tracks 3434', the moveable track member 32 moves downwardly to contact the clamp closing element 14- wherein the guide surfaces 41 and 46 form a continuation of the tracks 34 and 34'.

Referring to FIGURE 14, with continued downward motion of the blade member 28, the ends of the members 52 and 53 strike the first and third camming portions 42 and 48, causing the clamp to assume the shape shown in FIGURE 15. The bending action which takes place at this point is confined to the bend portions disclosed at the ends of the central portion 47. With progressive downward movement of the blade member 28, this deformation continues, the ends of the members 52 and 53 being guided by the second and fourth cam portions of the guiding surfaces 41 and 46. During this deformation subsequent bending is confined to parts of the shank portions and 51, the portions 52 and 53 remaining substantially rectilinear to project outwardly as best seen in FIGURES l7 and 20.

Upon removal of the now sealed casing 75, it will be observed that the lowermost of the portions 52 and 53 extends along the outer surface 76 of the casing in such manner that the tips 77 and 78 cannot contact the outer surface of the casing to possibly rupture the same either during the sealing Operation or thereafter.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in means for closing stuffed fragile casings, in which there is provided a novel closure of deformable wire, in which the free ends are positioned to extend laterally of the principal axis of the stuffed casing, resembling a hand-tied operation. By virtue of the fact that a substantially rectilinear terminal portion is provided during the closing operation, a large surface area of the casing is disposed to press against at least one of the ends of the clamp to distribute the load exerted by the clamp over a relatively large area of the casing. Such a construction makes it virtually impossible to rupture the casing during the closing operation, irrespective of the high pressures generated Within the casing at the time of closure. This effect is made possible by a clamp closure element which deforms the clamps only at portions spaced from the terminal ends thereof, providing a wrapping action adjacent the central portions of the clamps alone.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

In a device for closing the ends of stuffed casings or similar articles by means of a deformable Wire clamp, the improvement comprising: first and second track members disposed in mutually parallel spaced planes, a closing element including a pair of guide surfaces mutually oppositely disposed, each guide surface communicating with one of said track members, said guide surfaces each including a first substantially rectilinear portion, a first cam portion communicating with said rectilinear portion, and a second cam portion communicating with said first cam portion, and driving means cooperating with said track members for moving said deformable wire clamp against said guide surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,265,277 Gerke Dec. 9, 194l 2,406,661 Brady Aug. 27, 1946 2,728,965 Hillrnan Jan. 3, 1956 2,748,389 Buchy June 15, 1956 2,778,266 Forrester Jan. 22, 1957 

